Forum Post: HOPE vs. DESPAIR: Why Chris Hedges is right and the way we sometimes interpret him is wrong
Posted 11 years ago on Dec. 28, 2012, 8:07 a.m. EST by therising
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Pulitzer Prize winning author Chris Hedges does a tremendous job waking us up to the sheer size, weight, danger and momentum of the corporate hijacking of our government, economy, environment and our mindset. It's scary as hell. And accurate. We should be terrified into action rather than terrified into despair though, because there is real hope. We can and will win this.
My view is that the prescription for the ailment Hedges lays out so well is:
A - POWERFUL PAIRING OF NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION AND INTERNET - http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-dont-see-the-power-we-have-in-our-hands-to-tran/
B - REALIZING AND USING OUR ABILITY TO IMPACT THE MOMENTUM AND SPIRIT OF THE TIMES: http://occupywallst.org/forum/we-have-the-power-to-turn-this-world-around-this-o/
C - REJECTING THE AUSTERITY PUSH BY TAKING ACTION: http://occupywallst.org/forum/a-message-to-all-the-well-meaning-democrats-and-re/
AND even more importantly. . .
D - * CHANGING OUR FUNDAMENTAL MINDSET (Both the 99% and the 1% need to make a major internal shift in how we view the world).:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/new-view-why-gun-control-peace-treaties-campaign-f/
I see real hope because of the power of A, B, C and D to wake people up and transform their mindsets -- the mindsets of the 1% and the 99% -- both of which contribute to the terrifying problems Hedges describes.
What I'm suggesting in A, B and C is that we should not despair. We have the power in our hands to win this.
What I'm suggesting in D is even more important to me --- And that is that we the 99% can't just blame the 1% for the whole thing. We have to realize our part in creating / carrying the interior conditions / mindset that allow for such environmental, economic and political destruction. Once we realize we are part of the problem, we can be part of the solution.
For what it's worth, I have been through the despair part of this and came out the other side. That doesn't mean I don't get sad, pissed , furious about what the 1% are doing and what we the 99% are letting them get away with through our inaction. I'm pissed as hell and just as worried as the rest of us, if not more. But I know we can do this. Study of King, Gandhi and others has convinced me that we have the power to change things in terms of action on the outside. Study of Mingyur Rinpoche ("Joyful Wisdom" a book about our supposed age of anxiety), Thich Nhat Hanh ("The Heart of Understanding") and many others have convinced me that we have the power to change our inner mindset on a fundamental level. Once that fundamental shift occurs (which I believe is underway now on a societal level), the conditions for exploitation won't be in place. Greed, exploitation, oppression and mindless ravaging of the economy, environment and government just can't grow there. We can make ourselves and this world a terrible habitat for those things so they will be far less likely to grow here.
We can do this.
We must remember that what the 1% fear most is us coming out of despair and division. If we shed our nihilism and unify, we will be unstoppable. Nothing could hold us back. Once we realize that we have more in common than we have separating us, we the 99% can begin making decisions from a position of unified strength rather than demands from a position of divided weakness.
I think you touched on something profound in your last few comments- that we fear being truly happy, we fear being in control of our own well-being. Of course, this doesn't imply that we prefer being dependent wimps. It just means that it takes immense courage to visit unfamiliar territory. Humans are creatures of habit and unfortunately, our habit has been self defeating for far too long.
There are passive ways to resist and force change. Refusing to pay taxes that are being used to pay for others' abuse of money, to pay for unjust wars and to pay for wasteful government systems. Most government jobs could be eliminated without sacrificing security.
Changing our mindset is critical to changing behavior. The federal reserve has undermined the value of our money for so long and we have tolerated this to the point that we undermine our very own self worth by not commanding any different. We have settled for less and less value in everything whether it's the air we breathe to the food on our table to the clothes on our back, medical care, TV programming, water quality, etc.. We vote YES with every penny we spend. We vote with every TV show we watch. So what we get is exactly what we ordered. As powerful as big corps have been, they do not need to be more powerful than the citizens of the United States. But, before anything will change, Americans must make a concerted effort to put one goal at a time into action. If everyone for example refused to buy gas for just ONE day by planning ahead, it would send a very clear message to oil companies and Wall Street. Turn off your TV's for several days and refuse to watch the crap these paid services provide- buy used books instead or go on a walk. Aren't you tired of paying more for everything and consistently receiving less? We need to give our ideas a big voice and it's only going to work if we are willing to make the necessary sacrifices in order to force change. Some of these sacrifices will seem difficult at first. Not everyone values the same things equally. However, I'm willing to make any sacrifices necessary to force change. If the majority wants me to quit eating broccoli for a month, so be it. If they want me to ride my bike for a week, so be it. SLOW down and live mindfully. Don't make the easy, most convenient choices simply because you allowed life to control you. It's time to pull your own strings. There are a lot of people who really don't understand why we may ask for a concerted sacrifice but if we take the time to inform them why it's important and how it will improve our quality of life, I would bet folks would respond positively. Information is power and we need to awaken people to their own potential to create change. Let's become victors and quit being victims!
Bravo
Beautifully said :)
"Why I Am a Socialist ?" by Chris Hedges : http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21586.htm - taken from - http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-uprising-has-begun-a-new-politics-that-rejects/ Thanks for your good post and interesting thread. Never Give Up! Go Occupy! Solidarity and best wishes for 2013.
Thanks for the great link!
Good work. "Keep Hope Alive", using every tool we have.
Cheers to that. Thanks Nevada.
People often get confused by Hedges because he gives no fucks about being "politically correct" ...which is pretty rare and people are not used to that.
You should check out what Chris Hedges calls Sacrifice Zones.
Hedges by far is one of the most critical people of the corporate takeover.
Good post!
So glad hedges is exposing the sheer size and momentum of the destruction and greed and giving us the very real news that the sacrifice zones are getting bigger and bigger and are headed this way. Maybe it will get all of us into the streets! :). Can't wait to read his books.
I agree with most, but I have to go back to my past statements-
In C - #3 & #8 about citizens united & corporate personhood
►REQUIRES a constitutional amendment
a constitutional amendment
►REQUIRES 3/4 of the house + 3/4 senate + 3/4 states
3/4 of the house + 3/4 senate + 3/4 states
►REQUIRES many more pro-amendment members at the federal & state level
many more pro-amendment members at the federal & state level
►REQUIRES many more DEMOCRATIC members at the federal & state level
many more DEMOCRATIC members at the federal & state level
►REQUIRES a massive voting effort on this single issue
virtually everything we want will be facilitated AFTER we sever the snake that connects capitalism to democracy
govenment of the people by the people for the people
NOT
govenment of the people by the corporations for the rich
our OWS WG site:
http://corporationsarenotpeople.webuda.com
I think you're right on target and are taking a very productive and practical approach. I sincerely want the effort you are suggesting to succeed.
What about my comment below about what jart said and follow up reply from VQkag? Any thoughts on that? Seems like you too should chat :) [-] 1 points by VQkag2 (16018) 2 hours ago I agree with Jart. And further submit that Occupy has provided a blueprint for any & all pols to follow if they want to improve the lives of the 99%. Our greatest success has been to push the language of progressive solutions. Pols have benefited when they use it, we must be in the street pressuring all pols. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink
I agree that OWS has opened up a huge window on the 99%-1% issue
the recent political campaign that seemed to deal with % almost daily, I'm sure helped the Dems expose the Rs
OWS "actions" are a new way to bring attention to all of our issues - and should continue - but I have been frustrated with many people in OWS who refuse to see the fundamental issue of politics & voting
If, in 2011, every OWS activist got 10 people to vote D, and they each got 10, the Rs would be a house minority, and progress on our issues would be much further along
I hear you loud and clear and encourage you to keep pushing. This is going to break loose soon . . . Soon millions will be pushing from the inside and outside putting more and more pressure until the dam breaks in a good way. Soon we'll be restoring our great republic, pulling it from out of the hands of the 1% and putting it back in the hands of the people. For every one of them there are 99 of us! The bough will soon break. I'm as sure of that as I've ever been of anything in my life.
Agree - plenty of pressure can be applied through public opinion including protests - but untill we start booting assholes out of office - the governmental body will not really pay attention.
Folks get involved.
Fundamental change for the better will come from the involvement and actions of The People.
Please don't hesitate to use the word VOTE
that is the most powerful action
I have no fear of the word - it is definitely part of the process of getting involved - taking action.
What can eject ALEC can also impeach unconstitutional officials.
From my reading of rayos posts, anyone that does not embrace preparatory amendment is unconstitutional.
The beauty of that approach is that all of the Americans wolho are not a part of ows can agree on the constitutionality of the proposed preparation. The only thing stoping this ignorance here, and censorship. Learn how it can work, test it on getting rid of ALEC.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/action-petition-alec-to-make-a-statement-about-the/
Yes, amendment, but when congress is unconstitutional, that's not going to fly. This is why Article V from the states, compelled by citizens, is the way to see the needed amendments. Article V itself provides needed direction if interpreted "for the people".
which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress;
"or by Conventions in three fourths thereof" says that if 3/4 of the states hold conventions and ratify the amendment occurs. The part "which, in either Case" indicates that either congress calls a convention when 2/3 apply, or 3/4 of the states hold conventions and ratify.
We can actually ignore the federal government and Article V basically indicates the states can do that. The federal government has proven they are unconstitutional, illegal and resemble the opposite of what they are suppose to be in many ways.
Controlling Article V from 3/4 of the states only requires that citizens of those states agree upon simple definitions of related constitutional intent used to justify ratification. Preparatory amendment is logical and needed, whereupon 3/4 of the states create a situation where the other 1/4 becomes so well informed, that they are now aligned and ratifying properly as well. We need to expose frauds like ALEC by giving an opportunity for them to support a proper Article V, whereupon we will find they are not interested.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/action-petition-alec-to-make-a-statement-about-the/#comment-902992
The issue of preparatory amendment has the potential to solve many problems without further amendment. This is because information empowers democracy.
Here are your First Historical Education Points for Internet Campaign which will teach people that they can't trust the government from Paul Krugman Speech on Video:
1) Bush Tax Cut in 2000-2001 was based on a lie of huge surplus, and the policy keep changing showing that the real reason for the Tax Cut was something else (Dishonesty)
2) Bush Reasons for Going to War, also kept changing, indicates that the real reason was something else (Dishonesty)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdsymLhCDbE (Krugman)
Late Add Robert Reich on Recession & Lessons from Depression:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4lirM0czg
Giving this a shot for fair reply, but have confusion and difficulty in holding all the points in my head. I'm a little overwhelmed by the links.
Yes, I see you are building upon and pulling together ideas, tactics, demands, internet methods, and clear opposition to austerity. Those are true and right points. I think your audience is the OWS protesters which seems appropriate.
Many of us are writing and passing links that follow your clear ideas. Sometimes I'll write to the Economics as if politicians or economists would listen to that. Sometimes I try to write more to speak to the laws that are on the books, ... I mean Law history knows conflict of interest, Revolving Doors, and there are ideas easily available to deal with these as they are old problems. I don't think I ever write on tactics... I probably can't lead in that way. Sometimes I've written to try to Plainly point out the Truth that somehow we neer look at. Lately I have focused on War or anti-war stuff.
The best I've heard today was something from Chris Hedges about "saying something is wrong". I think you are also saying shed our nihilism, and don't tolerate the stupidity and bribery of corporations, the control of congress, and the congressional acts that strip us of our Rights, so that corruption can march forward.
"Doing everything for Corpoations is wrong even if we see bigger food stamp programs to help us out". If government is active in managing the economy, then is should have a policy of encouraging small business and creation of small businesses which of course are more flexible and able to change production, products, technology as markets change....And I think everyone wants the government to defend the small guy against giant corporations. Everyone wants government to intervene in the economy for the small guy.
Marketing and Public relations are important. OWS should run like a business. Or run like a TV station ... maybe not like Alex Jones. But as you are saying on the Internet OWS can advertise. Maybe many young people would love to build banners, boxes, ads, surveys, quizes, Historical Boxes, On this Day In History, Did You know? (Howard Zinn History facts), Congressional record from this date, Guess Who Voted against civil rights or against ending the Vietnam War, or Guess Who Voted to Deregulate Banks, Guess How Many Times COngress has voted for War since the Korean War (zero, only for funding), Which Crisis in the US were used to create special powers and what powers were they? Did you know the US has been on War Footing in South Korea since the start of the Korean War? Did you know the US has been Militarized since WWII?
We should see Historical Education Everytime We Get on the Internet and K-12 Kids would love to do it for free... I'm thinking.
Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, Chris Hedges Video, June 29, 2012... Great start to Finish. He reads extra portion for last 15 minutes or so don't miss it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6hffN0LFbs Commodity Trading probably does raise food prices and cause starvation around the world. Wow.
I still have to look at your links. I'm having concentration problems....
Thank you - I'll check this out tonight. Eager to hear what you think of the links. I really think hedges does his part but there seems to be a missing piece, the realization that we can do something about this and win. Keep in mind that there's a silent majority out there. 40-50% of American public said they supported occupy wall st in national polls last fall.
The Video seems to fit your Post Exactly. Enjoy.
Awesome. Can't wait to see it. Thanks very much.
There is ABUNDANCE on this planet and in this universe,. .
search; relocalize, slowmoney, degrowth, permaculture,. .
The more I read about these, the more they sound like the ultimate solution.
Sounds good to me. How do we spread the word / vision beyond the choir?
Culture is a strange and peculiar form of organisation,. it is interesting, and worth noting, that advertisers have built a science of manipulating it. Unfortunately, most of those that have acquired these skills,. at leading people to memes, seem to have such low moral fiber, and bend to the whims of wealth alone.
Anyway,. I believe that people respond well to example, and truth. Being the change we want to see is still the best advice. Simply doing what you believe is best practice, openly, and with love, is a contagious sight to those lost and struggling, in a system that only has hate and greed to share with them. wealth for wealth's sake is a disgusting spectral and should always be called out and ridiculed as such,. I do this every opportunity. Excessive wealth is ugly, and guns are for weak and fearful individuals, often the same people.
Shared blame is always a great way forward. It means that if we helped create it, then we can help reverse it. Its within our powers.
The banks are only as powerful as the amount of people that use them. Same for Walmart.
Getting the public's attention is tough. Ambient advertising has a decent reach, and can have a decent frequency too if its left in place long enough.
WHY?
WHY NOT?
Two questions that seem to have been hardwired into the operating control center of the bio-mechanical machine that houses my spirit.
Why is there war? Why not do something else?
Why is there pollution? Why not do something about it?
Why don't we implement true green technology as fast as we are able to? Why not start today?
Etc.
The world is shaped by our perceptions and and how we act upon them or not.
The individual can very well control their own perceptions ( be closed minded or open and questioning ) or give control to others to tell them how to see the world.
Another world is truly possible. As soon as we make the decision, a whole host of factors fall in to place to creat momentum. Goethe put it this way:
"Until one is committed, there is a hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth - the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manor of unforseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
Absolutely a GR8 comment/quote/thought.
Taking the 1st step is the hardest - once taken the next is easier and the next and the next - and it will be easier to continue taking - other - 1st steps.
Hedges seems more pissed at the people who would do better if they could while ignoring those that work night and day for evil.
I think that vague inspirational thoughts serve a purpose but too often I see them used as an alliterative to effective action, removing members of the GOP from political office is an effective action I don't feel that Chris is 100% behind that effort, so I think on balance he slows us down. I think we no longer have the luxury of hoping we can "save" the Republicans too, I think we must act at all times and in every way possible to defeat the enemy and I know who that is, and we can if we vote and encourage others to as well but we must not be ineffective in our voting it must serve to remove Republicans from office or all the sign waving and marching and camping will mean nothing.
as you can see chris hedges thinks porn is a sign of deep moral degeneracy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOZLdw6n2L4 sorry man but this is beyond ridiculous.
chris hedges is a bit of a pompus blowhard. please just listen to him prattle on about porn. not saying he doesn't have some good points of view but come on dude really. you think porn is a problem? it's freaking ridiculous.
I agree with your suggestion of what we can do. In fact it is what we MUST do
Unify!!
I think what we need to do is realize that we the 99% do have differences but those differences pale in comparison to our similarities. We the 99% all suffer under the current arrangement where corporations and the wealthy have the system rigged to benefit only them, shifting wealth systematically from the 99% to the 1%. We all suffer not just economically but also from the environmental destruction and consumer culture that are the results of this system maintained by the 1%. Whether we believe in political change from within or attacking the system from the outside (I recommend both) we have to remember that we're on the same damn side. The 1% loves the infighting. We have to get past that.
I like how jart did that here:
fiftyfourforty (1077) from New York, NY 6 months ago Yes, Occupy is political but not electoral. That's fine. I have a question though. I listen most weekday evenings to WBAI 99.5 and there is a program called "Occupy Wall Street Radio." One segment was pretty much given over to George Martinez' campaign to get the Democratic Party nomination to run for Congress. http://bumrushthevote.net/ I don't see the harm in it. What is the harm in that? He says he is a veteran Occupy activist and those who host that radio program that has OWS' name gave him space to speak. . .
[-] 2 points by jart (997) from Brooklyn, NY 6 months ago I don't have a problem with Mr. Martinez. I never got a chance to know him, but he's certainly not trying to co-opt occupy as far as I can tell. That being the case, he has every right to identify with the movement and boast of having participated in it to support his campaign.
I agree with Jart. And further submit that Occupy has provided a blueprint for any & all pols to follow if they want to improve the lives of the 99%.
Our greatest success has been to push the language of progressive solutions. Pols have benefited when they use it, we must be in the street pressuring all pols.
So, I'm very interested to know what your thoughts are then on bensdad comment above where he does bullet point list for particular items. He is making strong case for hitting hard within the system to beat the system. I think his approach is great and an important piece of the puzzle. But I also think we need to bring tremendous pressure from the outside with direct action of all kinds. I don't think we need to choose. I think we need both. The 1% need to feel it from all sides.
Yes. Yes. Exactly. I think this is right on.
We have also been in synch. We must bring others along.
Any ideas for how to achieve that? Do we need a change in terms of GA meeting structure? Do we need to do more direct action to raise awareness and thereby more support? Do we need to run candidates at the local, state or national level? Do we need to march on Washington? Do we need to organize boycotts, strikes and sit ins? Do we need to raise capital to support more actions and spreading of the message? Do we need to discover new ways to use the Internet to link groups? What the fuck needs to happen here? Because my sense is that 40-50% of the population is awake and ready to support sensible change. They're ready and waiting?
Maybe what they need is more than just critique of what is. Maybe what the silent majority is waiting for is an articulate vision of what this COULD be like, this other world that's possible. I think we need to be talking a bit more of what we're moving towards rather than just what we're moving away from. Once we do that, I think support will rise like an ocean wave underneath this movement and lift it to a whole new level.
You are right. I think the people are ready.
I agree with all the suggestions that you listed. Maybe most important ( and most difficult is changing the GA meetings)
But of course the efforts of occupy thus far have been spot on. Boycotts/protests w/ fast food/walmart workers, debt paydowns, marches (DC is ripe), Occupy sanday, the NRA. Foreclosures. anti fracking.
More must be and will be done.
Stay with us. Slow progress is frustrating. Our patience is required.
Oh yeah. I want to see some pushing every single day but think it will take 5 to 10 years to achieve the transition we're looking for. I'm aiming for faster, believe me but I'm in it to win it as long as it takes.
You're doin just fine.
I often think about this being like tug of war. Remember the feeling on tug of war when you were on winning team? More than likely the method for the win wasn't just brute strength. It was coordinated pulling. And you could feel your compadres pulling in a certain rhythm. And that rhythm is powerful. It's how we win. New organize, coordinate and win.
Johnny cash put it quite well: "Get rhythm, when you get the blues"
Let's get rhythm.
Rhythm (from Greek ῥυθμός—rhythmos, "any regular recurring motion, symmetry"[1]) may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions."[2] This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or frequency of anything from microseconds to millions of years.
In the performance arts rhythm is the timing of events on a human scale; of musical sounds and silences, of the steps of a dance, or the meter of spoken language and poetry. Rhythm may also refer to visual presentation, as "timed movement through space."[3] and a common language of pattern unites rhythm with geometry. In recent years, rhythm and meter have become an important area of research among music scholars. Recent work in these areas includes books by Maury Yeston,[4]Fred Lerdahl and Ray Jackendoff, Jonathan Kramer, Christopher Hasty,[5]Godfried Toussaint,[6] William Rothstein, and Joel Lester.
That's a great way of looking at it.
Johnny Cash knew a thing or two :) http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/johnny-cash-and-occupy-wall-street-heres-how-we-ge/
Agreed. A great soldier of the 99%. Another of my favs. He stood up for civil rights in the face of great risk to his career.
One cool dude.
The man in black
The 1% are terrified of that prospect. Hence the massive militarized police pushback on peaceful nonviolent occupy protesters exercising their first amendment right to peacefully assemble and speak freely.
And also the right wing ALEC written vote suppression efforts that have not let up yet. The 1% oligarchs fear the 99% getting together and increasing voter turnout.
If people come together they will get more informed and replace 1% corp puppets with progressives devoted to implementing policies benefiting the 99%.
I agree completely that we can put any band-aid on the ills of our political and economic system, we can reinstate Glass-Steagall, overturn Citizens United, ban automatic weapons, etc. etc., but until our ethos, the very deep nature of our mindset as a nation changes, we won't get very far. We are all to blame for the state of affairs in this country. It is a dangerous thing to not take responsibility for one's situation either as an individual or as a nation. In the end, the 99% allowed the 1% to get away with all of this. We are the 99% and I believe love and community are much more powerful than money, and money, is really all they have. So, let's get to it.
Thanks so much for saying this so beautifully.
A band aid will only hide the sight of the wound going septic/gangrene. Our spirits need feeding - I think OWS/Occupy is helping to bring spiritual food to the table.
OWS is the best thing to happen to this country in decades. Solidarity, DKA!
Same to you BW. I was always looking for OWS/Occupy when I was growin-up - didn't fully realize that until it came on the scene - but now a hole has been filled in my spirit.
That is a beautiful thing. Same feeling here. :)
It is a good feeling {:-])
Once we take responsibility for our contribution to the problem, we realize that we also have power to bring about the solution. They didn't make the problem. We did. By allowing 1% of the populations to make decisions for us. We abdicated our responsibility to "them" and now we're paying the price for this. We can reverse this though. We made it. We can unmake it.
Damn right! Well said beautifulworld. Let's do what's suggested at THIS link :)!: http://occupywallst.org/forum/johnny-cash-and-occupy-wall-street-heres-how-we-ge/